Windjammers 2 gives fans of the popular arcade game exactly what they want: more Windjammers. Outside of the sharp graphics upgrade and some new competitors and arenas, don’t expect to find much to nibble on after you’ve played around the disc a few times. The sport is still a reflexive pleasure, but the fun wears off after a few rounds on the court.
Windjammers pits two players against each other in the flying saucer version of air hockey. You shoot discs at each other, trying to shoot through the opponent’s goal; You can also earn points if the disc hits the ground on their court, as in tennis. Bringing the disc past your opponent involves performing a series of incredibly powerful hits that can rip through walls or wrap around the court in flaming loops. Windjammers 2 has good control, and I like to use curvy shots and other tricks to trick my opponents into zigzagging where they should be zigzagging.
The game possesses a deep level of fighting gameplay despite its simple shell, so I wish it had a more specific tutorial. Windjammers 2 has a lot of movement and nuance that the tutorial mode clearly explains through the static slides. It’s neither fun nor inefficient to move button command pages into memory before the start of a match, and there’s no way to access the list of moves in the pause menu. I forgot how to perform a useful action a few times and had to decide whether to exit the video game ladder to refresh my memory or keep flying. Modern fighting games have come a long way for players, providing guidance and context on how and why a move should be performed. Windjammers 2 needed something similar because of the destruction of matches and felt like I didn’t have the resources to switch to in the early games.
The list features returning names and newcomers, each with their own speed/power differences and dedicated special moves. My favorites include Sammy Ho, who fires a teleport disc that disorients opponents, and Jao Raposa, whose pure speed makes him a mobile machine. Matches are largely balanced no matter what pairing the opponent is up against, but CPU usage in the short arcade mode is frustratingly challenging, even in Easy mode. Even when I pinpointed a clear opening, the AI would often block my photos, no matter how wondrous or confusing they might be. It’s not entirely new to Windjammers, but sometimes I’ve given up on strategically aligning shots and using any number of ways until I score a lucky goal. Still, it’s hard to deny the fun, sweaty intensity of a long and back volley and the triumph of beating your opponent for a score.
The arenas aren’t much different beyond the visuals, but a few notable sports gimmicks. I like the casino stage best, it frequently changes the target’s point value in a roulette fashion, adding an extra layer of chance and unpredictability. I appreciated the vibrant 90s-inspired presentation and upbeat soundtrack.
While fun, Windjammers 2 is a bare-bones package. The basic arcade, online, and fighting modes didn’t appeal to me for a long time. And notably the lack of unlockable rewards, characters or cosmetics to aim for. Bragging rights and leaderboard dominance are your only driving force. Action is best taken in short bursts, preferably against a local friend or an online stranger. I respect this old fashioned approach as an older player, but I find it hard to stay motivated when all I can expect from winning a grueling round. Fatigue is a pat on the back and a “good job!”
Windjammers 2 is an exciting return that proves its unique sport is still a blast, but the thrill is fleeting. I’m glad to see it back; I just wish it gave me more reasons to go to court more often.
